Historic First: Ohio Girls Flag Football Teams Compete for Inaugural State Championship
For the first time in Ohio high school sports history, girls flag football teams will battle for a state championship sanctioned by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). This weekend, eight teams—including two all-girls schools—will take the field at Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, a venue traditionally reserved for boys’ football championships.
Breaking Barriers on the Field
Mount Notre Dame and St. Ursula Academy, both all-girls schools from Cincinnati, are among the contenders vying for the title. For players like Mount Notre Dame senior Grace Bodkin, the opportunity is monumental.
“If the boys can do it, why can’t girls?” Bodkin said, echoing the sentiment that has fueled the rapid growth of girls flag football in Ohio.
Just two years ago, the sport had only six teams in Cincinnati. Now, 40 teams compete statewide, a surge in participation that has paved the way for this weekend’s historic tournament.
A Coach’s Pride and a Team’s Legacy
Mount Notre Dame’s head coach, Desmon Gault, has been instrumental in building the program from the ground up.
“We’re known not just for academics but for being an athletic powerhouse,” Gault said. “This senior class has the chance to continue that legacy by bringing home a state title.”
For the team’s 11 seniors, this championship represents more than just a trophy—it’s a chance to cement their mark on school history. Mount Notre Dame hasn’t seen a graduating class without a state title in nearly 30 years, a streak they’re determined to uphold.
Playing Where Legends Have Walked
Competing at Tom Benson Stadium adds another layer of significance. The venue, home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has hosted countless high school and NFL greats—but never a girls’ flag football championship.
“The narrative has always been about the boys playing here,” said senior captain Hayden Elmlinger. “Now, we get to make history.”
A Growing Movement
The rise of girls flag football in Ohio mirrors a national trend. States like Florida and Nevada have already established sanctioned championships, and Ohio’s inclusion signals the sport’s expanding legitimacy.
St. Ursula Academy, the other all-girls team in the tournament, shares Mount Notre Dame’s determination to prove that girls belong on the gridiron.
How to Watch
Fans can catch the state quarterfinals and semifinals via live stream on SpectrumNews1.com. The championship game will air on Spectrum News 1 at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, offering a chance for supporters nationwide to witness this groundbreaking moment.
For these young athletes, this weekend isn’t just about winning—it’s about proving that girls’ flag football deserves a permanent place in high school sports.
— Reported by Nexio News
